Plight of Iraqi Palestinian Refugees Worsening

With violence in Iraq rising, thousands are fleeing the country. Many are living in refugee camps in neighboring Syria, where officials estimate that more than 700,000 Iraqis have arrived after the US lead invasion began. But not everyone is lucky enough to make it to the refugee camps, about 1,000 Palestinians who called Iraq home are now stranded in Syrian desert camp named al-Waleed.

Reuters says that, during Saddam Hussein's rule, Iraq was home to about 30,000 registered Palestinian refugees. They were support by the Bath government, which made them target of attacks after the fall of Saddam's regime. Many have fled the country to escape the violence. Last year Syria allowed 250 of them to enter the country but starting this year they have announced that they will not be taking any more Palestinian refugees from Iraq.

This decision by the Syrian authorities has placed the 1,000 refugees stranded in the al-Waleed desert camp in a precarious situation. Living conditions in the camp is getting worse by the day, there is just 1.5 liters of water every other day and with summer starting to heat the desert, there is danger of dehydration among the refugees. Medical care is almost non existent, there is just one doctor for the entire camp and for serious cases needing specialist care, only option is to travel for four hours back to Iraq or to Syria.

There is another refugee camp near Syrian border called Tanf, with 389 Palestinian refugees. In case of health care they are in slightly better condition because pregnant women and others in serious health risk are allowed to seek medical care inside Syria. After the treatment they are sent back to the camp.